tokenism

noun

to·​ken·​ism ˈtō-kə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce tokenism (audio)
: the policy or practice of making only a symbolic effort (as to desegregate)

Examples of tokenism in a Sentence

Did the company choose her for her merits, or merely as an act of tokenism?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Leah describes 'tokenism' as the act of hiring one woman, often paid less than her counterparts, to give the appearance of diversity without fostering genuine inclusion. Nadia Edwards-Dashti, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 This persistent myth that qualified women are scarce leads to practices like tokenism. Nadia Edwards-Dashti, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 Morris, the only Black member of the cast, wonders aloud about his tokenism. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2024 The conglomerate boldly amplifies diverse voices within the Black African diaspora, while cautiously avoiding tokenism. Ime Ekpo, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tokenism 

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tokenism was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near tokenism

Cite this Entry

“Tokenism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tokenism. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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